Vehicles / Chevrolet / Malibu

Chevrolet Malibu

29,406 federal complaints across 34 model years (1981-2025) ยท 57 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Chevrolet Malibu. Hover a bar for the count.

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu - 2,356 complaints
  2. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu - 2,204 complaints
  3. 2004 Chevrolet Malibu - 1,639 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 2023 Chevrolet Malibu - 104 complaints
  2. 2021 Chevrolet Malibu - 133 complaints
  3. 2022 Chevrolet Malibu - 151 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Steering
5,714
Electrical system
4,816
Engine & cooling
3,161
Brakes
2,807
Lighting
2,060
Power train
1,682

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2025 Chevrolet Malibu151
2024 Chevrolet Malibu602
2023 Chevrolet Malibu1042
2022 Chevrolet Malibu1511
2021 Chevrolet Malibu1332
2020 Chevrolet Malibu3321
2019 Chevrolet Malibu3071
2018 Chevrolet Malibu1,2156
2017 Chevrolet Malibu1,1754
2016 Chevrolet Malibu1,4439
2015 Chevrolet Malibu4023
2014 Chevrolet Malibu5636
2013 Chevrolet Malibu1,38310
2012 Chevrolet Malibu1,4722
2011 Chevrolet Malibu1,5263
2010 Chevrolet Malibu2,2043
2009 Chevrolet Malibu2,3565
2008 Chevrolet Malibu1,4894
2007 Chevrolet Malibu1,2533
2006 Chevrolet Malibu1,4756
2005 Chevrolet Malibu1,3863
2004 Chevrolet Malibu1,6396
2003 Chevrolet Malibu7732
2002 Chevrolet Malibu7552
2001 Chevrolet Malibu1,0052
2000 Chevrolet Malibu1,3793
1999 Chevrolet Malibu1,2271
1998 Chevrolet Malibu1,4803
1997 Chevrolet Malibu6934
1989 Chevrolet Malibu30
1986 Chevrolet Malibu10
1983 Chevrolet Malibu12
1982 Chevrolet Malibu32
1981 Chevrolet Malibu32

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
26V2120002023-2025Back Over PreventionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
24V5750002024EquipmentGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The vehicles may have the wrong owner's manual in the glove box. As such, these vehic
22V9230002022-2023StructureGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The front impact bar, a structural portion of the vehicle frame, may not be properly welded to th
22V3590002021SeatsGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper
21V00F0002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware,
21V6490002016-2021Seat BeltsGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or
21V6330002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Colu
20V7640002013SuspensionGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware,
20V6680002018Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2
19V6420002018Fuel System, GasolineGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles equipped with 1.5L turbo engines. An error in the Engine Control Module (ECM) software may result in the
19V0190002010-2011Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflat
18V5760002018Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadilla
18V4000002016-2018Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly
18V3580002016-2018Fuel System, GasolineGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cad
16V8700002017Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
16V7810002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushio
16V5020002013-2016Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed
16V2720002016Electronic Stability Control (Esc)General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake c
16V1510002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air
16V1250002016Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured
16V0840002016Electrical SystemGenera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warni
15V6660002015Air BagsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have f
15V2690002011-2012Seat BeltsGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible
15V2450002013Power TrainGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmi
15V1640002013-2015VisibilityGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch f
15V0640002006-2007SteeringGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 v
14V4000001997-2003Electrical SystemThis defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition ke
14V2520002004-2012Vehicle Speed ControlGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manu
14V2470002014Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the aut
14V2400002014Service Brakes, HydraulicGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufa